Note: This process was done using the U.K. version of the S3. We haven't yet rooted the U.S. version, and using this process on a U.S. version could damage your phone.

So you've just bagged yourself a gleaming new Samsung Galaxy S3 and you already want to root around in Android's murky depths? Step this way, friend, and let me take you through the process.

If you think of your phone as a computer, rooting it is like being given administrator rights; you can edit and mess around with things that normally would be restricted, including the operating system and start-up animations, and clearing out any software pre-installed by your operator that they don't want you to get rid of. You effectively have complete control over everything on your phone.

Many Android fans like rooting because it lets them use fancy things like custom ROMs -- home-made operating systems -- and use powerful applications that aren't available in the Google Play store. Of course, getting rid of all the restrictions on your phone also gets rid of all the safety features too, so it's important to bear in mind the risks.

Using custom ROMs and unapproved apps can sometimes have adverse effects on your phone -- if someone sinister has built a malicious app that you install without any of the usual barriers in place, it could wreak havoc, as it will have access to all the system files that apps on unrooted phones wouldn't have.

As the core architecture of the firmware is exposed, you could also end up totally destroying crucial bits of software, resulting in your phone being completely unusable -- known as "bricking" a device. It's therefore important that you don't attempt anything you're unsure about and always check what other people in forums such as XDA-Developers have said about the software you're trying to use.

I'll take this opportunity to point out that CNET takes no responsibility for any damage done to your phone as a result of following these steps. Got it? Good.

Step 1: Gather everything you need First things first -- download the Samsung Kies software and make sure all the drivers for your phone on your PC are up to date. Back up all your contacts, photos, and other data if you've already been using it, then disconnect your phone.

Step 2: Extraction Extract Odin 3 using WinRar or similar and run the install executable file to install it to your computer. Then extract the CF-Root archive file. The crucial file in here is a .TAR file, which my computer confusingly showed with the same compressed file icon, causing me to try to extract it, which showed two files -- Cache.img and Recovery.img.

Screenshot by CNET UK

If you see those, start again and extract the original archive just once. If you then open control panel > Folder Options and uncheck the "Hide extensions for known file types" box in the View tab and click Apply, you'll be able to see that the file masquerading as an archive folder has the .TAR file extension. Perhaps put that file on your desktop so you know where to find it.

Screenshot by CNET UK

Step 3: Loading Odin Open Odin. You should see that all the boxes and windows in the program are blank. Click on the PDA button in the Files [Download] box in the bottom right-hand quadrant.

Screenshot by CNET UK

That will open a folder browser window, letting you navigate to the CF-Root-SGS3-v6.4 .TAR file you extracted previously. Double-click on that and it will load in the field next to the PDA button.

Step 4: Put your phone into download mode You'll need to set your phone to go into "download mode," which allows for files to be, er, downloaded and run on your phone -- it's a developer thing. Turn your phone off and wait for it to completely shut down. Press and hold the volume down key, the home button, and the power button all at once and wait for a few seconds.

CNET UK

It will then load and ask you if you want to enter download mode by pressing the volume up button -- which you should do.

Step 5: Connect and run When your phone's in download mode, connect it back to your PC and you should see the word "Added" in the message box in the bottom left quadrant of Odin.

Screenshot by CNET UK

You should have the "Auto Reboot" and "Reset Time" boxes already checked. Take a deep breath and click Start.

Odin will then go through the steps to root your phone and will show a green box saying "Pass" in the program when it's completed. Your phone should then show a black screen with scrolling text (that's the rooting process) before it reboots back into the standard operating system you know and love.

The first time I ran it, it didn't load into the root process, but instead rebooted straight into the Android OS. I simply ran step 4 again and it all worked fine.

Step 6: Congratulate yourself When it reboots the final time it should all be done, letting you enter the wonderful world of the rooted Android phone owner. There's a whole load of stuff you can do with a rooted phone and thankfully, numerous forums around the Internet where modders get together and share tips and software, so have a look around and see what others are up to.

Make sure to let me know in the comments below how this process has gone for you and what you're planning to do next.

About the author

Andrew is a senior editor at CNET and has always been fascinated by tech. When not getting up close and personal with the latest phones, he can normally be found with his camera in hand, behind his drums or eating his stash of home-cooked food. Sometimes all at once.
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